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UFC 321 results, highlights: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane deemed no-contest following brutal eye pokes

Daniel Yanofsky

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UFC 321 results, highlights: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane deemed no-contest following brutal eye pokes image

Tom Aspinall finally got to hold the football after over 15 months of waiting for his time to shine. The question was simple: Can he hold onto the UFC heavyweight title? In a sense, he did, but not the way he wanted to.

Aspinall retained the UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. The fight only lasted one round, but it wasn’t because of vicious Aspinall strikes.

Instead, the fight ended in a no-contest after Aspinall couldn’t see following brutal eye pokes from Gane (13-2, 1 NC).

The fight had promise to start. They traded shots, with Aspinall (15-3, 1 NC) pressing forward and landing hard shots. He was getting damaged from sharp Gane strikes, bleeding from the nose. They continued to trade shots. Then, Gane’s fingers dug into Aspinall’s eyes, forcing the champion to take a break.

WATCH: UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane on ESPN+

Aspinall insisted he couldn’t see as the crowd became restless. After several minutes, the fight was called off. Gane apologized to Aspinall, who was heartbroken.

It's the second championship fight in UFC history to become a no-contest, the first being a 2017 fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier. The fight was overturned after Jones failed a drug test. 

Gane waited to face Jones for gold, but never got a title fight. He won interim gold, but became champion after Jones retired. This fight was not a great start to his reign. It appears the two will clash in a rematch, possibly in January or February.

Mackenzie Dern too much for Virna Jandiroba

Following a close fight featuring plenty of takedowns and sharp strikes, Mackenzie Dern beat Virna Jandiroba for the second time, this time for UFC strawweight gold.

Dern (16–5) had a lot to overcome, from the nine takedowns Jandiroba (22-4) landed to the takedown defense from her opponent. However, she landed 85 significant strikes (63 for Jandiroba) and massive elbows even while on the floor. Dern won via unanimous decision.

That’s three straight wins for Dern, who was heralded as the next big thing in the UFC early in her career. She’s the first to win the IBJJF world championship, ADCC gold, and a UFC title. With Zhang Weili relinquishing the belt to face Valentina Shevchenko, what’s next for Dern?  

Umar Nurmagomedov wants to compete for gold again. He proved why he should once again be the next contender for bantamweight gold after a wrestling clinic against Mario Bautista. Despite being in trouble at certain points, Nurmagomedov inflicted damage on the floor and feet.

Nurmagomedov returned to his winning ways. Merab Dvalishvili competes in December. If he retains the UFC bantamweight title, a Merab-Nurmagomedov rematch could be in early 2026.

Despite multiple takedowns from Jailton Almeida, Alexander Volkov managed to squeak out a win. Volkov, who arguably beat Gane when they fought, landed more strikes against Almeida, who showed no signs of urgency while on the floor.

The 37-year-old Volkov, ranked second in the heavyweight division, is back to being the top contender. He may have to wait to face Aspinall, however.

AllSportsPeople provided results, analysis, and highlights from UFC 321.

UFC 321 results, highlights

Eye poke force a no-contest in Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane fight

Round one: Gane forgot his cup before the fight. Aspinall with jabs right way. He pressed forward. Gane tried to use leg kicks. Left hand from Aspinall connected. Takedown attempt by Aspinall deflected. Jab by Gane. Side kick from Aspinall. He landed combinations. Gane with a jab.

Aspinall's nose is busted open. Leg kick from Aspinall. Massive jab followed. Eye poke from Gane. Aspinall's eye is not looking good. Tom can't see. The fight is called off and deemed a no-contest. Damn. 

The main event is up next. Can Tom Aspinall prove he's the man at heavyweight after all these years, or will Ciryl Gane play spoiler and finally hold undisputed gold?  

Mackenzie Dern cements her legacy, beats Virna Jandiroba for strawweight gold

Dern won via unanimous decision to become champion. Her daughter came to congratulate her. 

Round five:  Jandiroba with a straight jab. Dern landed a right. Jandiroba with a takedown. She landed elbows. Knee from Dern. They exchanged shots. Jandiroba with another takedown. Dern with elbows from the floor. They landed combinations from the feet. Dern with a takedown in the last ten seconds. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dern (48-47 Dern)

Round four:  Jandiroba with combinations. Body kick from Dern. Left from Jandiroba. Dern with a right. Another right. A Dern high kick and a jab connected. Dern's cardio looked to be better than Jandiroba at this point. Takedown from Jandiroba. Dern with a takedown. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dern (38-38)

Round three:  Jandiroba got hit with a few strikes. She dropped Dern early. On top, Jandiroba tried to provide damage. Dern with a knee to the body by the cage. Jandiroba with a counter jab. They traded strikes. Jandiroba took Dern down again. Dern tried landing elbows while on her back. Big right by Jandiroba. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Jandiroba (29-28 Jandiroba)

Round two: Right hand from Dern connected. Body kick from Dern. Overhand right from Jandiroba connected. Its not pretty, but Dern's strikes are helping her cause. A Jandiroba takedown was followed by a few strikes. While getting taken down, Dern landed sharp elbows. Land hand by Jandiroba connected. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Jandiroba (19-19)

Round one: Both traded leg kicks to start. Dern tried landing flurries. Jandiroba with a leg kick. Dern with a right hand. Jandiroba tried for a takedown but missed. Right hand by Jandiroba. Takedown by Jandiroba. Back up, knee to the body by Dern. Jandiroba tried to land for damage, but Dern was more effective. 

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dern

The co-main event, for strawweight gold, is up next. Mackenzie Dern has been heralded as the next big thing. Virna Jandiroba has thrived after Dern beat her years ago. Who will walk out as champion?

Umar Nurmagomedov returns to his winning ways against Mario Bautista 

Combinations from Nurmagomedov. Holding onto Bautista, Nurmagomedov forced him down again. Nurmagomedov held onto Bautista and would not let go. 

3:27 p.m. ET: Nurmagomedov put him back down to the floor with a takedown. He continued to tire Bautista out. Body kick from Nurmagomedov. He landed combinations and a high kick. High kick from Bautista to start the third. Nurmagomedov landed one of his own. 

3:23 p.m. ET: Nurmagomedov ended up on Bautista's back. Round two saw Bautista with a big knee that dropped Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov put him to the floor with a massive takedown. On his back again, Nurmagomedov tried to submit Bautista. Back to their feet, Bautista with a few shoulder strikes. 

3:18 p.m. ET: Kick to the chest from Bautista to start round one, but Nurmagomedov landed a takedown right after. And another. Bautista tried an ankle submission on the floor. On top, Nurmagomedov tried striking away at Bautista. On his side, Nurmagomedov landed elbows. 

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista in an important bantamweight fight is up next. 

Alexander Volkov avoids damage, beats Jailton Almeida to become top contender

Volkov won via split decision. Judges saw more from damaging strikes than takedowns. 

2:58 p.m. ET: Volkov with a single leg attempt. He struck with his legs. Almeida landed a takedown following a few attempts. Volkov with elbows to the head of Almeida. The former tried a triangle choke. Almeida held on, but provided limited damage. Goddard brought them back up. And Almeida immediately landed another takedown. 

2:53 p.m. ET: Another takedown for Almeida. However, there's no sense of urgency when he grapples. On Volkov's back, Almeida tried landing a submission. Volkov fought back with elbows. Marc Goddard separated the two, but Almeida quickly landed another takedown. 

2:46 p.m. ET: Almeida when for a takedown and got it right when the fight started. Volkov with an elbow on the floor. On top, Almeida took over. Volkov switched positions. He started landing elbows. Holding Almeida's neck, Volkov struck away. Volkov did enough (damage) to win that round. 

2:28 p.m. ET: Could be argued Alexander Volkov beat Ciryl Gane. When he's on, Jailton Almeida is a true threat. Important heavyweight fight here that should determine the next title contender.

Azamat Murzakanov kicks off UFC 321 main card with KO win against Aleksandar Rakic

2:25 p.m. ET: Rakic is massive. Murzakanov tried to reach and land, but he overthrew in the first round. Rakic with a few leg kicks. He pushed Murzakanov by the cage and held onto him. Murzakanov moved forward following another takedown attempt and stuffed Rakic.

Straight shot from Murzakanov and its' all over! Rakic with a bad loss. Murzakanov is a massive threat at light heavyweight.

2:21 p.m. ET: Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov opens the main card. 

2 p.m. ET: The main card has started. 

1:45 p.m. ET: Quillan Salkilld with a High Kick from Hell. Brutal. Nasrat Haqparast was down and out. Knockout of the Year contender. 

1:37 p.m. ET: The last fight of the prelims is next: Nasrat Haqparast vs. Quillan Salkilld.

1:31 p.m. ET: Aliskerov used his wrestling to his advantage. Meanwhile, referee Rich Mitchell has been a breath of fresh air. Aliskerov won via unanimous decision. Another Team Khabib win. 

1:10 p.m. ET: Ikram Aliskerov vs. Park Jun-yong is next. 

12:59 p.m. ET: Klein had some swelling on his ankle, and it was possibly broken. Klein was announced the winner while on the stool. Daniel Cormier was on his knees interviewing him. Almost like Joe Rogan sitting with Conor McGregor at UFC 264. 

12:57 p.m. ET: It was a bloody battle between Klein and Rebecki. Rebecki brought Klein down several times in the third after the latter controlled the fight. He started smashing away at his face on the floor. Klein then used elbows to cut Rebecki across his forehead. Rebecki landed solid strikes to end the round.  

12:40 p.m. ET: Ludovit Klein vs. Mateusz Rebecki is next. 

12:20 p.m. ET: Valter Walker with the win. He got Sutherland down early and won his fourth straight win via a heel hook submission. Oh my. 

12:15 p.m. ET: Valter Walker vs. Louie Sutherland is next. 

12:08 p.m. ET: It was a solid fight that many thought Jose Miguel Delgado won. However, Wood got the win. 

11:45 a.m. ET: Continuing prelim action, Nathaniel Wood vs. Jose Miguel Delgado is next. 

11:38 a.m. ET: Another point deduction for a fighter. This time against Abdelwahab. Barnett got drilled in the back of the head with an elbow. It didn't matter, as he still dominated and won via unanimous decision. 

11:12 a.m. ET: Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Chris Barnett in heavyweight action is next. 

11:07 a.m. ET: There was a point deduction on Maksum for a fence grab. Raposo would win via unanimous decision, earning his first UFC win. 

10:45 a.m. ET: Azat Maksum vs. Mitch Raposo is up next. Did you get your morning coffee? 

10:37 a.m. ET: Mizuki Inoue beat Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision.

10:05 a.m. ET: Good morning, folks. The first early prelim matchup of the day will be Jaqueline Amorim vs. Mizuki Inoue.

Hello everyone, and welcome to AllSportsPeople' live coverage of UFC 321!

UFC 321 results

Main Card

  • Tom Aspinall (c) vs. Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest for the UFC heavyweight title (4:35 into round one)
  • Mackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision for the UFC strawweight title (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
  • Umar Nurmagomedov def. Mario Bautista via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Alexander Volkov def. Jailton Almeida via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Azamat Murzakanov def. Aleksandar Rakic via TKO (3:11 into round round)

Prelims

  • Quillan Salkilld def. Nasrat Haqparast via KO (2:30 into round one)
  • Ikram Aliskerov def. Park Jun-yong via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Ludovit Klein def. Mateusz Rebecki via majority decision (29-28, 28-27, 28-28) 
  • Valter Walker def. Louie Sutherland via heel hook (1:24 into round one)
  • Nathaniel Wood def. Jose Miguel Delgado via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Chris Barnett via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
  • Mitch Raposo def. Azat Maksum via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27) 
  • Mizuki Inoue def. Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) 
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